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Blending her passion for storytelling with a dedication to healthcare, Jaime Shuster, Ph.D, has blazed a unique career path leading to her current position as research program manager in orthopedics & sports medicine at the Cleveland Clinic main campus.

Her journey began not in the sterile halls of a hospital, but in the vibrant world of journalism. As a multimedia journalism major at the ����ɬ���� Trumbull Campus, she wrote for her hometown newspaper, The Tribune Chronicle in Warren, Ohio, captivated by the power of storytelling. Yet, after taking a transformative psychology class at ����ɬ����, she found her true calling.

“I thought, why not apply my writing skills to a field that benefits people in a more direct way?” Shuster reflected, recalling her shift from journalism to psychological sciences. Her passion for understanding human behavior led her to pursue a bachelor's degree in psychology, followed by advanced studies in public health.

“You get to do a broad scope of things, and then you can actually look at how this benefits people longer term,” Shuster said.

Interdisciplinary Approach 
At ����ɬ����, she was in the Honors College and earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology (2008), Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Health Policy Management in 2012 and a Ph.D. in Public Health/Health Policy Management (2018). She also earned a Master of Arts (M.A.), in Experimental Psychology in 2011 from Cleveland State University. As a trained experimental psychologist and epidemiologist, Shuster specializes in data analysis, neuroscience and injury prevention. Her path, though unconventional, highlights the value of combining various disciplines in healthcare research. Her training prepared her to utilize both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and when appropriate, how they can inform each other.

Balancing academia with motherhood, Shuster became a non-traditional student at nearly 30. Encouraged by dedicated professors, she soon found herself knee-deep in research on traumatic brain injuries, merging her love for psychology with public health.

Her supportive family has been a constant source of pride. “My dad loved that I was going into journalism. He was my editor,” she recalled fondly. However, her mother had different expectations, believing she should prioritize a stable job over education. “But, I think they’re both proud of where I’ve ended up,” Shuster said, especially her husband, who encouraged her while also deciding to return to school for his own degree in information technology.

Support Systems
Reflecting on her education, Shuster applied for every scholarship she could find. “I got quite a few, thanks to professors who helped me identify obscure opportunities,” she said. Her mentors were instrumental in guiding her through the scholarship process, ensuring she could focus on her studies without overwhelming financial strain.

Shuster had multiple retail jobs while in school to help make ends meet, but in 2008, she transitioned to a position at the Cleveland Veterans Affairs (VA), where she found her passion for research.

“I started off processing research applications, which led me to become the assistant research and development coordinator,” Shuster explained.

This role allowed her to oversee the entire research process, from compliance to data collection, solidifying her love for the field. 

Commitment to Patient Outcomes
Now, in her role at the Cleveland Clinic she says no two days are the same as some days she navigates contracts and budgets; on others, she collaborates with new fellows, ensuring compliance and confidentiality. She manages a staff of two dozen research coordinators running a mix of Phase 1-3 trials as well as translational trials in Oncology. She helps others design custom research studies and analyze data to provide actionable results. She also oversees patient-reported outcome measures.

“We’re capturing valuable data that can improve treatment outcomes,” Shuster said. “It’s about meeting patients where they are, especially those who aren’t tech-savvy. We provide paper forms and translations into Spanish to ensure everyone can participate.”

Her transition from the Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Institute, where she managed clinical research for two years, to orthopedics was a significant shift.

“I still draw on my experience with patient interactions, but now I’m looking at the bigger picture—how we can innovate in sports medicine,” she shared. “We’re even working with teams like the [Cleveland] Cavs and the Guardians now.”

Shuster’s passion for research is rooted in her belief that every project has the potential to improve lives. “Seeing a patient’s quality of life improve due to our work is profoundly rewarding,” she said. Yet, she acknowledges the harsh realities of her field. “I’ve seen patients we’ve lost, but even in those moments, we knew we were giving them hope and improving their quality of life.”

Empowerment and Advocacy
Beyond her work at the Clinic, Shuster remains committed to education. She teaches at both ����ɬ���� and Cleveland State, guiding students through their research projects.

“I want to help them create something tangible—be it a manuscript or a conference presentation—something they can take into their next steps,” Shuster explained.

Reflecting on her academic journey, Shuster emphasized the role of supportive professors. “They pushed me to do more than I thought possible. I owe much of my success to their encouragement,” she said.

“The professors truly cared about their students and pushed us to excel,” Shuster said. “I hadn’t planned on attending grad school, but they saw potential in me and urged me to pursue more. If it weren’t for their support, I probably wouldn’t be where I am now.”

Shuster’s story is one of resilience, curiosity and a commitment to bettering the lives of others.

“Take the leap, even if it’s uncomfortable,” she advises students. “You never know where it might lead. You have to take that chance. Yeah, it’s going to be uncomfortable. You may not have all of the answers. None of us do. But you have a really good support system in order to help figure out some of those answers.”

Shuster said, in her experience, ����ɬ���� was very supportive. “They’re looking out for the students and helping them achieve their goals,” she said. “You may not know what that goal is right now, but they’re willing to talk to you and let you shadow them and work with them. So, you’ve just got to try some different things, and you’ll quickly figure out what you like and what you don’t like. And, that’s kind of where you redirect your path to where you are getting the most benefit, where you feel fulfillment.”

Lifelong learning 
As she continues to balance her roles in research, teaching, and her personal life, Shuster embodies the spirit of lifelong learning and dedication to making a difference, one project at a time. She enjoys working at the Cleveland Clinic because no two days are alike and it’s always interesting.

“There's always something new to learn, whether it's something with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation or some new process or system to use to get research submitted,” Shuster said.

Her dedication to improving patient outcomes through innovative research and personalized care drives her work at the Cleveland Clinic and beyond.

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